The good side of fall

A lot of previews from our favorite magazines are appearing this week.

My favorite knitting magazine IK, among others, have great patterns. Unfortunately, I honestly don't think I will have time to knit any of them. At least, short term. But I always buy a copy. You never know ;-) Here are my favorite patterns:

Also, Vogue Knitting will be releasing the previews shortly. We can already find some of the patterns on Ravelry. I find this one especially nice:

HOWEVER, what really cought my attention is news about Brooklyn Tweed. He will be releasing a booklet of patterns with Classic Elite Yarns this August (if some of you see it in Montreal, please, let me know if you don't mind). You may go to SWAK News for a preview of the patterns.

You may also want to take a look at this interview with Jared Flood. I haven't bought any patterns yet from Brooklyn Tweed, but I regularly visit his blog. Every time I see a new pattern of his, I immediately fall under the charm! Here are my favorite patterns at first glance (but really, all of them are gorgeous).

There is a lot of talent in this community!

FO: Lilas

Tonight, I went to knit night with my Lilas on. It is a "première" for me to wear something that I knit and that fits quite well. I am very happy!

Pattern: Lilas (no. 136) - This pattern is no longer on BdF web site...
Yarn: Coton Fifty - Bergère de France
Needles: US 2.5 / 3.0 mm
Color: Mauve
Start to finish: January 10, 2009 - July 21, 2009
For: Me
Notes: No modifications other than picking up the stitches to knit the button bands instead of knitting them separately and then, sew them.

Here is a link to instructions I found useful to knit the buttons:
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/3854/sew-buttons-securely-on-hand-knits.

Althought I am continuing Thermal, I will start some new projects soon (a shawlette and fingerless gloves). I already have the yarn and will take pictures to show you shortly.

I've spent a lot of time finishing Lilas and need to do something else now, like reading...

Have a great rest of the week!

Lilas ready for this summer!

Ouf! Finishing IS a lot of work...

As we speak, all is knitted, sewn, woven in... Tomorrow, I will sew the buttons and soak it (it's been on my sofa for quite a while now!). And then, I can wear it! And then, I can move on to another project!

I will take more pictures when it is finished!

I wish you all a great week!

Neoknits shawlette!

I just found out that I won the newest pattern of Neoknits Shawlette! What do you think? Isn't it a gorgeous shawlette?

There was a context this week to find a name for her new and gorgeous summer pattern. My suggestion (Océane) is in the top 3!

The suggested yarn is Hand Maiden Double Sea. I have never knit with this yarn before. It looks so luxuous and brilliant...

I will be going to Montreal this Thursday. Something tells me I will buy the yarn and start the project very soon. After all, I'm on vacation and I deserve it! Sorry current WIPs...

I just wanted to share my joy!

Summer

Summer has finally arrived in Quebec!

Last year, I stopped knitting when summer arrived. This year, I'm still knitting! This afternoon, I went to Cafe Depot to knit with a good friend. It was very pleasant. I missed knit nights for the last two months. I really needed to go knit in public and see what someone else is making. I hope I can join the "North Shore Knitters" next week. We will see ;-)

I also joined a new group called Knit Crochet & Give a Little Warmth . It is a Meetup group (maybe there is a similar group near you) and we will be making blankets and hat and lots of things for organizations who help those who need a little warmth! I haven't attended any of the bi-monthly meetings yet, but I think it is a very good idea!

For those of you who wonder how my projects are going, well, no changes for most of them, except Thermal II. I started the third skein this afternoon. Soon, I will be splitting the front. It's going very well and I really enjoy it!

Hope you are having a wonderful summer so far!

Progress

Here is a short update on my WIPs.

First, Lilas is going well. There remains a sleeve to be knit, plus finishing. Before I start knitting the second sleeve, I decided to verify if it fits. It does. I'm relieved! I spent quite some time to assemble it. Sewing is definitely not my favorite part of knitting. I should consider knitting more things that require minimal sewing. Still, here is how it looks like (the part that is finished). Note that the part that goes under the arm looks quite good due to the fact that it melts with the cables. I've had a little more trouble with that part in the back...

Then, I have knit a bit of Thermal with my new Harmony needles! I like them. I have not experimented with many needles in the past, but here are a few comments. They are definitely pretty and they don't make as much noise as metal needles. At first, I thought that the colors of the needles would make it more difficult to knit due to the fact that there is less contrast with the yarn color than with gray needles. It hasn't been a problem however. The cables are very well integrated with the needles. I would not know that they are interchangeable from the feel of it. All in all, I'm very happy with them. I look forward to see how they will age.

And yes - if you wonder - I do enjoy knitting Thermal again! The color has something to do with it I think...

A very French "déjà vu"...

It's been a long time since I purchased some yarn. I got it last night! And even though it is not a new yarn to me and the pattern I will be knitting with it is not new either, don't ask me where all the excitement is coming from!

Here is Gloss in Woodland Sage for my Thermal II ;-) Did I say "déjà vu"?

I also bought KnitPicks Harmony Wood circulars needles in 3 sizes and a 24" cable. I will be trying them tonight! From what I heard, I will love them! Also a row counter (no more pieces of paper on the coffee table) and a tape measure (much easier to carry everywhere)! It will be fun!

Hope you are all having a great week so far!